Aunty Lynette Hiʻilani Cruz*

Advisor to the Board*

Aunty Lynette Hiʻilani Cruz, a respected kūpuna from Waiʻanae, has dedicated her life to education, advocacy, and the preservation of Hawaiian culture. She served as a professor at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) and now enjoys her retirement as the kūpuna in residence at HPU. Kumu Lynette has also taught at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Windward Community College, enriching these institutions with her deep knowledge of Hawaiian traditions and values.

Known for her advocacy and community organizing, Lynette continues to serve the community in her "retirement." She is the President of Mālama Mākua and a mentor and member of Ka Lei Maile Aliʻi and Ka Lei ʻĀina Aliʻi. Her work bridges traditional Hawaiian knowledge with contemporary academics, fostering a deeper appreciation of Hawaii's rich cultural heritage.